http://www.escweb.org.uk/ Latest electrical safety news from the Electrical Safety Council en-uk 60 http://www.escweb.org.uk/css/images/esc-logo-square.gifhttp://www.escweb.org.uk/ Copyright 2010, Electrical Safety Council. Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:06:18 BST Sat, 14 Aug 2010 07:06:18 BST With half of all domestic fires in the UK caused by electricity, leading safety charity, the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) has established an electrical fire prevention scheme and is now... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Gain-funding-to-help-prevent-electrical-fires-id-88.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Gain-funding-to-help-prevent-electrical-fires-id-88.html Mon, 28 Jun 2010 12:00:00 BST Plug Into Safety campaign launches to cut deaths and injuries caused by electrical accidents Every week in the UK someone dies in an electrical accident at home, and one in... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/One-death-and-80-preventable-electrical-fires-every-week-means-lives-at-risk-this--bank-holiday-weekend-id-84.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/One-death-and-80-preventable-electrical-fires-every-week-means-lives-at-risk-this--bank-holiday-weekend-id-84.html Fri, 28 May 2010 12:00:00 BST Campaigning charity the Electrical Safety Council (ESC) has just published electrical safety guidance for the 100,0001 plus private landlords in Scotland. The Landlords’ Guide to Electrical Safety in Scotland contains... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Are-you-Safe-to-Let-in-Scotland%3F--id-85.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Are-you-Safe-to-Let-in-Scotland%3F--id-85.html Thu, 27 May 2010 12:00:00 BST The Electrical Safety Council (ESC) is drawing attention to a current Eastenders plot line, to remind the public of the potential dangers of using an unqualified electrician. Around nine million... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Safety-Council-issues-safety-advice-following-Eastenders-electrical-fire-id-86.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Safety-Council-issues-safety-advice-following-Eastenders-electrical-fire-id-86.html Thu, 20 May 2010 12:00:00 BST The Pledge – which has been mailed to over 200 new, would-be MPs fighting for a seat in the forthcoming election – asks for support for three key points aimed... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/The-Electrical-Safety-Council-%28ESC%29-calling-on-all-newly-elected-parliamentarians-to-sign-up-to-its-Safer-Homes-Pledge.--id-87.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/The-Electrical-Safety-Council-%28ESC%29-calling-on-all-newly-elected-parliamentarians-to-sign-up-to-its-Safer-Homes-Pledge.--id-87.html Thu, 01 Apr 2010 12:00:00 BST Baroness (Jenny) Tonge has agreed to become Patron of the Electrical Safety Council. In 2004 she lost her daughter in a tragic electrical accident, and began campaigning for better... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Baroness-Tonge-becomes-ESC-patron-id-79.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Baroness-Tonge-becomes-ESC-patron-id-79.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT More than 26 million Britons shop over the internet, with electrical products accounting for more than one in ten online purchases. Although most website shopping is trouble-free there are risks,... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Shopping-safely-online.-A-new-consumer-guide-id-80.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Shopping-safely-online.-A-new-consumer-guide-id-80.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT Following the success of our electric blanket testing and replacement initiative last year, we are supporting a range of fire safety initiatives again this year. We made funding available to Fire... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Fire-Safety-Fund-Projects-during-Sept-2009-and-March-2010-id-81.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Fire-Safety-Fund-Projects-during-Sept-2009-and-March-2010-id-81.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT In the previous (winter) issue of Switched On, we asked the question 'Can downlighters be a fire hazard?' We concluded that it was evident from the findings of our independent... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Downlighter-test-report-published-id-82.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Downlighter-test-report-published-id-82.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT The total annual online sales of mains plug-in chargers are estimated to be in the region of 1.8 million. It is likely that most of these sales involve cheap,... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Cheap-plug-in-chargers%2C-are-they-putting-consumers-at-risk...-id-83.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Cheap-plug-in-chargers%2C-are-they-putting-consumers-at-risk...-id-83.html Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT Following the announcement made in September 2009 about our Fire Safety Fund successful applicants, we are pleased to present the following list of partners we have sponsored, together with a... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Schedule-of-Fire-Safety-Fund-Projects----%96-funded-by-the-Electrical-Safety-Council-during-Sept-2009-and-March-2010-id-78.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Schedule-of-Fire-Safety-Fund-Projects----%96-funded-by-the-Electrical-Safety-Council-during-Sept-2009-and-March-2010-id-78.html Mon, 15 Mar 2010 12:00:00 GMT Electricity is an integral, but invisible, part of all our lives. So it's easy to forget just how powerful and dangerous it can be. This is why, four years ago,... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Plans-underway-for-major-safety-campaign-id-73.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Plans-underway-for-major-safety-campaign-id-73.html Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT As reported in the Summer 2009 issue of Switched On, we have been working with the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service to investigate concerns that incorrectly selected, installed and/or maintained downlighters may have been the cause of... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Downlighters---can-they-be-a-fire-hazard%3F-id-74.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Downlighters---can-they-be-a-fire-hazard%3F-id-74.html Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT Over the past few years, our festive messages have been centred around the safety of decorative lighting. We have been encouraging householders to consider the age and condition of their... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/ASDA-funds-Festive-lights-amnesty-id-75.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/ASDA-funds-Festive-lights-amnesty-id-75.html Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT A new set of energy efficiency requirements for lamps, set by the European Union (EU), started to come into effect last September.Traditional incandescent and halogen lamps will be gradually phased... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Household-Lamps-to-become-more-energy-efficient-id-76.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Household-Lamps-to-become-more-energy-efficient-id-76.html Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT A national chain store has been prosecuted by Westminster City Council for selling electrically dangerous lamps and kettles. Zoostation Ltd, which runs trendy homeware and accessories store, Octopus, in Carnaby... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/National-chain-prosecuted-for-selling-dangerous-lamps-and-kettles.-id-77.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/National-chain-prosecuted-for-selling-dangerous-lamps-and-kettles.-id-77.html Wed, 03 Feb 2010 12:00:00 GMT As the weather gets colder and days shorter, the use of electricity for light, warmth and entertainment inevitably increases. Electrical safety can seem like common sense, but it is surprising... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Using-electricity-safely-over-the-winter-months-id-72.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Using-electricity-safely-over-the-winter-months-id-72.html Wed, 06 Jan 2010 12:00:00 GMT Whether you are indulging in a few twinkling white icicles or your planning a full on festive light extravaganza, if you are adding some festive bling to your home this... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Are-your-old-Christmas-lights-still-Safe...-id-70.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Are-your-old-Christmas-lights-still-Safe...-id-70.html Wed, 09 Dec 2009 12:00:00 GMT “Water and electricity are a lethal combination”, says Phil Buckle, Director of Charitable Affairs at the Electrical Safety Council. “Anyone who has suffered a flood in their home must consider... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Flood-Damage-and-Electrical-Safety-id-69.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Flood-Damage-and-Electrical-Safety-id-69.html Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:00:00 GMT HSE is issuing this safety alert for the attention of schools that use laptop computer charging trolleys and those who manufacture / supply such products. This is... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Laptop-computer-charging-trolleys-safety-alert-id-67.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Laptop-computer-charging-trolleys-safety-alert-id-67.html Tue, 20 Oct 2009 12:00:00 BST As part of the ESC fire prevention campaign we recently made £120,000 of funding available to support effective consumer safety activity by partners working at local level.We invited Fire and... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/ESC-Fire-Safety-Fund-id-71.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/ESC-Fire-Safety-Fund-id-71.html Wed, 30 Sep 2009 12:00:00 BST Every year more and more organisations across the spectrum of UK housing are taking part in the National Home Improvement Council’s prestigious Annual Awards scheme. So don’t hide your improvement... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/NHIC-Annual-Awards-scheme-id-65.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/NHIC-Annual-Awards-scheme-id-65.html Mon, 07 Sep 2009 12:00:00 BST Autumn is a popular time to catch up on DIY, gardening and general housekeeping jobs around the home. With this surge in activity, we urge DIYers to take care and... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/DIY-this-Autumn-id-64.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/DIY-this-Autumn-id-64.html Fri, 04 Sep 2009 12:00:00 BST The Electrical Safety Council is delighted to be sponsoring the Landlord & Buy-to-Let Electrical Safety Award to help support our commitment to raising the standard of electrical safety in the... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/The-Electrical-Safety-Council-sponsors-the-Landlord-and-Buy-to-Let-Electrical-Safety-Award-id-63.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/The-Electrical-Safety-Council-sponsors-the-Landlord-and-Buy-to-Let-Electrical-Safety-Award-id-63.html Wed, 05 Aug 2009 12:00:00 BST We are sponsoring the pollen count on ITV1 again this summer to further raise public awareness of the Electrical Safety Council. Last year’s sponsorship, in conjunction with our other consumer awareness... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Creating-a-Buzz-id-56.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Creating-a-Buzz-id-56.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 BST The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has warned about the importance of robust and well supervised systems of work when dealing with the isolation of electrical systems after a worker... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Contractor-prosecuted-after-groundworker-received-electric-shock-id-57.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Contractor-prosecuted-after-groundworker-received-electric-shock-id-57.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 BST On 6 April this year, the Property Information Questionnaire (PIQ) became a mandatory requirement of the Home Information Pack (HIP) relating to the sale of residential properties in England and... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Mandatory-property-information-questionnaire-%96-Latest-id-58.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Mandatory-property-information-questionnaire-%96-Latest-id-58.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 BST ?A campaign was launched earlier this year to create a more science literate society, highlighting the science and technology-based industries of the future. Backed by Government, the science community and celebrities,... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Government-Acts-to-Bust-Myth-of-Elitist-Science-id-59.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Government-Acts-to-Bust-Myth-of-Elitist-Science-id-59.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 BST Many of us will have lived in rented accommodation at some stage of our lives, possibly as students or while saving to get on the housing ladder Even so it may... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Safe-to-Rent%3F-id-60.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Safe-to-Rent%3F-id-60.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 BST The Electrical Safety Council is working with the Surrey Fire and Rescue Service (F&RS) to investigate concerns that incorrectly selected and/or installed downlighters may have been the cause of a... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Downlighters-%96-can-they-be-a-fire-hazard%3F-id-61.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Downlighters-%96-can-they-be-a-fire-hazard%3F-id-61.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 BST Counterfeiting was a hot topic for discussion at our inaugural International Product Safety Conference last year. Since then, we have been considering how best to translate the outputs from the... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/A-united-front-against-the-threat-of-counterfeit-electrical-installation-products--id-62.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/A-united-front-against-the-threat-of-counterfeit-electrical-installation-products--id-62.html Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:00:00 BST An inquest in January heard how a 47 yearold power station engineer from Sussex had been electrocuted at home last July as he tried to repair the family washing... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Man-electrocuted-attempting-to-repair-washing-machine-id-49.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Man-electrocuted-attempting-to-repair-washing-machine-id-49.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:00 BST Last year, the Health and Safety Executive announced changes to the gas installer registration scheme in England, Scotland and Wales. The scheme operated by CORGI was replaced on 1 April by the new Gas... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Gas-Safe-Register-replaces-CORGI-register-id-50.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Gas-Safe-Register-replaces-CORGI-register-id-50.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:00 BST In the winter issue of Switched On, we reported on our response to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s consultation paper entitled ‘Improved Consumer Information in the Home Information Pack’. The paper proposed the inclusion... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Improving-consumer-information-in-the-Home-Information-Pack--id-51.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Improving-consumer-information-in-the-Home-Information-Pack--id-51.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:00 BST In the winter 2007 issue of Switched On, we reported that we were working with the charity ‘Upkeep’ to add safety information to the electrical display they ... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Upkeep-id-52.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Upkeep-id-52.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:00 BST AJack Russell terrier has been hailed a hero after saving her owners from a house fire. The owners said that had it not been for their dog Tilly, they may have... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Terrier-hailed-as-a-house-fire-hero-id-53.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Terrier-hailed-as-a-house-fire-hero-id-53.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:00 BST Following our investigations last year into the safety of travel adaptors, we have been alerted to a relatively new design of adaptor to reach the UK market that presents several significant electrical safety hazards... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/More-potentially-dangerous-travel-adaptors-discovered-id-54.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/More-potentially-dangerous-travel-adaptors-discovered-id-54.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:00 BST As part of our ongoing product testing programme, we arranged last year for electrical safety assessments to be carried out on a selection of toasters, air fresheners, night lights, outdoor... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Products-put-to-the-test-%85-id-55.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Products-put-to-the-test-%85-id-55.html Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:00 BST Our inaugural International Electrical Product Safety Conference, which took place in London last September, was a great success, attracting international delegates from countries throughout Europe and the rest of the... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Safety-Council-leads-global-debate-on-electrical-product-safety-id-42.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Safety-Council-leads-global-debate-on-electrical-product-safety-id-42.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT Our consumer helpline receives many phone calls and emails from landlords and tenants asking for advice on electrical safety in rented accommodation, including questions about their respective responsibilities. With an increasing... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/New-leaflet-for-rented-accommodation-id-43.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/New-leaflet-for-rented-accommodation-id-43.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT Improving homes in England and Wales became a whole lot easier for tens of thousands of families from last October when new planning rules came into effect, meaning that the... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Planning-rules-for-home-extensions-relaxed-id-44.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Planning-rules-for-home-extensions-relaxed-id-44.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT In response to the huge success of our educational fun pack, and as a further commitment to help schools raise children’s awareness of the hazards of electricity, we have developed... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Educational-play-id-45.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Educational-play-id-45.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT Question: How many thriller writers does it take to change a light bulb? Okay, that wasn’t one of the questions we asked 1,000 members of the public as part of our... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Consumer-Attitudes-%26-Awareness-id-46.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Consumer-Attitudes-%26-Awareness-id-46.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT Last September, we responded to the Department for Communities and Local Government’s consultation paper on ‘Improved Consumer Information in the Home Information Pack’. This consultation proposed the inclusion of a Property... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Improving-Consumer-Information-in-the-Home-Information-Pack-id-47.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Improving-Consumer-Information-in-the-Home-Information-Pack-id-47.html Tue, 06 Jan 2009 12:00:00 GMT The Electrical Safety Council, in partnership with Electrical & Mechanical Contractor magazine, held an online seminar on the topic of Electrical installations and their impact on fire performance on Monday... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Installations-and-their-impact-on-fire-performance-id-48.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Installations-and-their-impact-on-fire-performance-id-48.html Mon, 08 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GMT In November, the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) held its Annual Awards ceremony in London, where 10 awards were presented. For the third successive year, the Electrical Safety Award... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/NHIC-Awards-2008-id-40.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/NHIC-Awards-2008-id-40.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GMT Please wait while video loads If your browser does not play the video use this link http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/True-cost-of-a-99p-charger.-Buckinghamshire-Trading-Standards-film--id-41.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/True-cost-of-a-99p-charger.-Buckinghamshire-Trading-Standards-film--id-41.html Mon, 01 Dec 2008 12:00:00 GMT Our electrical safety poster design competition, themed around ‘electrical safety in your home’, was part of our campaign to educate children about using electricity safely. It was very well... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-safety-poster-design-competition-2008-id-35.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-safety-poster-design-competition-2008-id-35.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT To help improve public awareness about the importance of earthing and bonding, we have produced a new safety leaflet for consumers called ‘Why do earthing and bonding need to be... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Why-do-earthing-and-bonding-need-to-be-checked--id-36.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Why-do-earthing-and-bonding-need-to-be-checked--id-36.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT RoSPA, in partnership with Electrical Safety Council and Intertek, are researching the feasibility of setting up a new, UK-wide injury surveillance system in the UK. The objective of the database... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Update-on-the-feasibility-of-re-establishing-the-UK-wide-injury-database-id-37.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Update-on-the-feasibility-of-re-establishing-the-UK-wide-injury-database-id-37.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT Earlier this year, the Scottish Government put out for consultation draft guidance and regulations relating to the Housing (Scotland) Act 2006. The guidance is intended as a practical tool to... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Scottish-Government-Consults-on-Trusted-Trader-Scheme-id-38.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Scottish-Government-Consults-on-Trusted-Trader-Scheme-id-38.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT East Riding of Yorkshire Council Trading Standards Service has been advising consumers to be vigilant when purchasing second hand electrical goods, following a survey into the safety of such items. Following... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Trading-Standards-Survey-finds-dangerous-electrical-goods-id-39.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Trading-Standards-Survey-finds-dangerous-electrical-goods-id-39.html Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 GMT Key electric blanket safety measures When you need to buy another blanket, always buy new - second hand blankets may not be safe. To ensure your blanket is still safe to use,... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electric-Blanket-Safety-Campaign-2008-id-34.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electric-Blanket-Safety-Campaign-2008-id-34.html Tue, 09 Sep 2008 12:00:00 BST A hard-hitting fire safety campaign was launched today. View advert ... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Hard-hitting-fire-safety-campaign-launched-id-33.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Hard-hitting-fire-safety-campaign-launched-id-33.html Tue, 19 Aug 2008 12:00:00 BST The International Electrical Product Safety Conference, organised by the Electrical Safety Council, will take place on 8 - 9 September at Church House, Westminster, London. The conference will provide a platform... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Product-Safety-Conference-2008-%96-An-event-not-to-be-missed%21-id-26.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Product-Safety-Conference-2008-%96-An-event-not-to-be-missed%21-id-26.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 BST New rules to allow homeowners in England and Wales to install solar panels, ground source heat pumps and other microgeneration technologies to help cut carbon emissions were given the green... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Solar-Powered-Homes-Get-Government-Go-Ahead-id-27.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Solar-Powered-Homes-Get-Government-Go-Ahead-id-27.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 BST Following the successful launch of our educational website for children last year, we are pleased to report that the Educational Electrical Safety Fun Pack, which featured in the summer 2007... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Council-makes-learning-fun-for-kids-id-28.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Council-makes-learning-fun-for-kids-id-28.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 BST The competition has now opened to find the winner of this year’s prestigious NHIC Electrical Safety Award, sponsored by the Electrical Safety Council. Taking part in the awards is straightforward. It... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/National-Home-Improvement-Council-Awards-2008-id-29.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/National-Home-Improvement-Council-Awards-2008-id-29.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 BST The building industry, local authorities and home owners will all benefit from a shake-up of the building control system in England and Wales, proposed in March by Housing Minister Caroline... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Shake-up-of-building-control-system-id-32.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Shake-up-of-building-control-system-id-32.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 BST We announced our intention to help migrant communities understand how to safely plug in foreign electrical appliances when using them in the UK, if necessary by using conversion plugs. Since... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Conversion-plugs-for-foreign-appliances-id-30.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Conversion-plugs-for-foreign-appliances-id-30.html Tue, 01 Jul 2008 12:00:00 BST   http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/View-Our-Television-Advert-id-31.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/View-Our-Television-Advert-id-31.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:00:00 BST   http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/ESC-Television-Trailer-id-25.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/ESC-Television-Trailer-id-25.html Fri, 06 Jun 2008 12:00:00 BST Download the article on the dangers of asbestos featured in the Spring 2008 edition of Switched On. Download PDF Asbestos film: To view 'Asbestos: The Hidden Killer' video provided by HSE... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Asbestos-id-24.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Asbestos-id-24.html Thu, 24 Apr 2008 12:00:00 BST In October last year David Dossett, Chairman of the Electrical Safety Council and Mary Benwell, Chair of the CORGI Trust announced that the two charities were in discussions about a... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Good-news-for-consumers-as-charities-propose-merger-id-1.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Good-news-for-consumers-as-charities-propose-merger-id-1.html Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT In November, for the 33rd year running, the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) held its Annual Awards ceremony in London, where twelve awards were presented. For the second successive year,... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/NHIC-Awards-2007-id-2.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/NHIC-Awards-2007-id-2.html Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT To further celebrate last year's launch of our children's educational website, www.switchedonkids.org.uk, and to provide practical support to teachers to help them educate children about electrical safety, we have presented... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Safety-Educational-Fun-Pack-For-Schools-id-3.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electrical-Safety-Educational-Fun-Pack-For-Schools-id-3.html Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT At a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (APPG-CATS) last October, the Council was invited to speak on a range of product safety... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Product-Safety---MPs-Listen-To-The-Council%27s-Concerns-id-4.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Product-Safety---MPs-Listen-To-The-Council%27s-Concerns-id-4.html Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT It's now about six months since Home Information Packs (HIPs) were first introduced in England and Wales. The HIPs requirements came into force last year (1 August for homes with... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Home-Information-Packs-id-5.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Home-Information-Packs-id-5.html Tue, 01 Jan 2008 12:00:00 GMT From faulty fairy lights to overloaded sockets, the festive season often brings an increased risk of electrical accidents and fires in the home. In recent years, there has been an increase... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Safety-at-Christmas-id-7.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Safety-at-Christmas-id-7.html Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:00:00 BST During the severe and unexpected flooding that occurred across wide areas of the UK in June and July, the Electrical Safety Council was able to offer essential electrical safety... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Flood-Damage-and-Electrical-Safety-id-8.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Flood-Damage-and-Electrical-Safety-id-8.html Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:00:00 BST In the summer issue of Switched On, we published the initial findings of an independent specialist laboratory we had commissioned to test a selection of travel adaptors that are readily... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Travel-Adaptor-Testing-Continued...-id-9.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Travel-Adaptor-Testing-Continued...-id-9.html Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:00:00 BST Earlier this year, Local Authorities prosecuted three more contractors for failing to comply with the electrical safety requirements of the Building Regulations for England and Wales. In one case in March,... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/More-Part-P-Prosecutions-id-10.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/More-Part-P-Prosecutions-id-10.html Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:00:00 BST The pilot for the Council's Electrical Installation Safety Improvements Grants scheme continues in England and Wales. The rate of grant applications has risen significantly such that, at the end of... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Grants-for-Electrical-Installation-Safety-Improvements-id-11.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Grants-for-Electrical-Installation-Safety-Improvements-id-11.html Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:00:00 BST In the last issue of Switched On, we reported that the government had announced that the introduction of Home Information Packs (HIPs) would be delayed pending revision of the requirements.... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Home-Information-Pack-update-id-12.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Home-Information-Pack-update-id-12.html Mon, 01 Oct 2007 12:00:00 BST A guide for safe use of electricity in countries outside of the UK This guide is to help you understand the possible dangers of using electricity abroad and how to keep... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electricity-safety-abroad-id-13.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Electricity-safety-abroad-id-13.html Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:00:00 BST The Council's consumer protection role includes research into specific areas where we believe there is a potential for unsafe electrical products and appliances to be put onto the UK market.... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Travel-Adaptor-Testing-id-14.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Travel-Adaptor-Testing-id-14.html Sun, 01 Jul 2007 12:00:00 BST According to a report published by the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission, almost a third of all dangerous products notified through its Rapid Alert System... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/%27Shocking%27-report-from-the-european-commission-id-15.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/%27Shocking%27-report-from-the-european-commission-id-15.html Fri, 01 Jun 2007 12:00:00 BST Every year, more and more organizations across the spectrum of UK housing are taking part in the National Home Improvement Council's prestigious Annual Awards scheme, now in its 33rd year. They... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/NHIC---Calls-for-Entries-id-16.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/NHIC---Calls-for-Entries-id-16.html Tue, 01 May 2007 12:00:00 BST The Council has been very busy over the past few months undertaking research into what electrical safety information, initiatives and activities are currently on offer to school children. Although it appears... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Schools-Awareness-Campaign-id-17.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Schools-Awareness-Campaign-id-17.html Mon, 01 Jan 2007 12:00:00 GMT In order to try and influence the public policy agenda and ensure that electrical safety issues are properly acknowledged in government, The Electrical Safety Council has established a public affairs... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Making-an-Impact-id-18.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Making-an-Impact-id-18.html Fri, 01 Dec 2006 12:00:00 GMT As part of the Electrical Safety Council's drive to raise awareness of electrical safety issues, the Council sponsored the RoSPA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents) 2006 Annual National... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/RoSPA-Home-Safety-Congress-id-19.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/RoSPA-Home-Safety-Congress-id-19.html Fri, 01 Dec 2006 12:00:00 GMT In November, the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) held its Annual Awards ceremony in London, where ten awards were presented. This year, the electrical safety award was sponsored by the... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/The-National-Home-Improvement-Council-Awards-2006-id-20.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/The-National-Home-Improvement-Council-Awards-2006-id-20.html Fri, 01 Dec 2006 12:00:00 GMT The Electrical Safety Council was officially launched at the House of Commons on 26 April. Attended by over 50 representatives from the electrical industry, professional bodies, media and consumer groups,... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Official-Launch-of-the-Electrical-Safety-Council-id-21.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Official-Launch-of-the-Electrical-Safety-Council-id-21.html Wed, 26 Apr 2006 12:00:00 BST The Home Information Pack is a Government initiative to reform the home buying and selling process. The pack is being introduced under the Housing Act 2004, and will become mandatory... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Home-Information-Pack-update-id-23.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/Home-Information-Pack-update-id-23.html Tue, 04 Apr 2006 12:00:00 BST The remit of the Electrical Safety Council includes campaigning in specific areas of perceived electrical safety risk to consumers. One of the Council's first campaigns is to be a review... http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/RCD-Reliability-Investigation-id-22.html http://www.escweb.org.uk/news-and-events/latest-news/RCD-Reliability-Investigation-id-22.html Mon, 03 Apr 2006 12:00:00 BST